tracked leader to 8th, in touch, ridden and outpaced before 4 out, weakened 2 out
in touch on outside when fell 3rd
tracked leaders in 4th, switched outside approaching 4 out, in touch when blundered next, soon one pace, no chance with leaders after
held up behind, outpaced 5 out, weakened before 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
led, joined 5 out, headed when mistake 3 out, soon ridden, one pace next, no chance with winner after
tracked leading pair, went 2nd at 8th, challenged 5 out, led 3 out, drew readily clear from 2 out, driven out, comfortably
held up in touch, ridden to chase leading pair after 4 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, no chance with winner
held up behind, chased leaders 4 out, outpaced next, plugged on from 2 out, never on terms
held up behind, fell 6th
chased leaders, blundered 2nd, lost place when blundered 11th, weakened 4 out, tailed off
Former 2m champion Sire De Grugy and Simply Ned were fourth and fifth respectively in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham and plenty have gone on from that Grade 1 to take this. Gary Moore's gelding had a very hard race, however, and this trip has proved too far in the past. Champagne Fever was a last-minute withdrawal from the Champion Chase amid fears that the ground was too quick. But he'll face similar conditions here and had no excuses on that score when apparently beaten when falling at the last in the Grade 2 won by Don Cossack at Thurles in January. The latter's winning run came to an end in the Ryanair at Cheltenham but he still fared better than John's Spirit, Balder Succes and Wishful Thinking and will be fancied to be another big-race winner for A P McCoy. But a race like this looks perfect for CUE CARD and Colin Tizzard's bold-jumping front-runner, back over a more suitable distance, can reverse King George form with Al Ferof and go one better than when second to Sprinter Sacre in this two years ago.
Al Ferof (FR) 7-1 (11-10) Midfield, pushed along and headway after 4out, effort next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Silviniaco Conti (11-10) at Kempton 3m Grade 1 chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec.
Balder Succes (FR) 7-1 (11-10) Held, blundered badly 2nd, towards rear after, well beaten before 3 out, plugged on from last, never any chance, 7th of 14, 27l behind Uxizandre (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f Grade 1 chs (1) gd in Mar.
Champagne Fever (IRE) 8-15fav (11-8) Soon raced in 2nd, a little keen, on terms 8th, led from next, travelling smoothly straight, jumped right last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) in Feb beating Texas Jack (11-8) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.
Croco Bay (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd briefly 100 yards out, no impression on winner, kept on same pace, 3rd of 20, 5l behind Next Sensation (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs G3 (1) sft in Mar.
Cue Card 11-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders, mistake 8th, effort after 3out, no extra from last, 5th of 10, 13l behind Silviniaco Conti (11-10) at Kempton 3m Grade 1 chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec.
Don Cossack (GER) 5-2fav (11-10) Chased leaders, pecked 12th, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, not much room, hampered and mistake 2 out, lost further ground on rivals, rallied flat, went 3rd final 150 yards, stayed on, 3rd of 14, 8l behind Uxizandre (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f Grade 1 chs (1) gd in Mar.
Johns Spirit (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Held up, headway from 9th, hit 4 out, ridden and edged right approaching 2 out, no extra final 100 yards, 5th of 14, 15l behind Uxizandre (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f Grade 1 chs (1) gd in Mar.
Simply Ned (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, mistake 4 out, soon outpaced, never involved, some late progress, 5th of 9, 17l behind Dodging Bullets (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Sire De Grugy (FR) 5-2 (11-10) Held up towards rear, not fluent 6th, headway after 4 out, went 4th next, soon pushed along, ridden and unable to go with leaders before next, one pace, 4th of 9, 10l behind Dodging Bullets (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Wishfull Thinking 28-1 (11-10) Held up, always towards rear, well behind 12th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Uxizandre (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f Grade 1 chs (1) gd in Mar, 14 ran.
